Ultimate Soldier, Undercurrents Stir

The applause and cheers from the assessment platform went on for a long time.

Shrek's students revered the strong, and Ji Juechen had completely conquered them all with two utterly different yet equally overwhelming battles. They might not understand "artistic conception" or see "flaws," but they understood those clean, decisive victories, and they understood the sincere bow of respect from senior Beibei.

"Ji Juechen! Ji Juechen! Ji Juechen!"

The chants rose higher with every wave. This was the highest honor Shrek Academy bestowed upon a newly risen genius.

Yet Ji Juechen, standing at the center of the storm, seemed utterly out of place amid it all. Ignoring the frenzy below, he merely gave Beibei a slight nod before turning and walking off the assessment platform. His calm, detached demeanor only made him seem even more unfathomable.

Jing Ziyan hurried after him, her eyes shining. "You... you're really strong."

"Mm." Ji Juechen gave only a single-word reply. His thoughts had already drifted elsewhere. Though the battle had ended, the [System] notifications continued echoing in his mind.

[Ding! Detected intense positive emotions such as 'admiration' and 'conviction.' Source: Beibei. Obtained Sword Intent Points x points!]

[Ding! Detected collective emotions such as 'shock' and 'worship.' Source: Shrek students. Obtained Sword Intent Points x points!]

A single battle had earned him more than one hundred and thirty thousand Sword Intent Points! This enormous fortune filled him with longing for the cultivation techniques and soul skills in the System Mall.

Just then, a gentle figure appeared before him.

"Junior Ji Juechen, I'm Xian Lin'er." Teacher Xian Lin'er of Sea God's Pavilion smiled at him. "The Pavilion Master wishes to see you. Please come with me."

Following Xian Lin'er, Ji Juechen returned to Sea God's Pavilion.

This time, the pavilion contained not only Muen and Yan Shaozhe, but also Cai Mei'er, the dean of Shrek Academy's Martial Soul Department. The presence of three Titled Douluo-level powerhouses at once was enough to show how seriously the academy regarded this meeting.

Yan Shaozhe still looked somewhat pale, but his eyes were exceptionally bright. Looking at Ji Juechen, he said solemnly, "Ji Juechen, today, on behalf of Shrek, I thank you."

Ji Juechen said nothing, merely watching him quietly. He knew Yan Shaozhe was thanking him for that sword strike that had "awakened" him.

"Alright, enough pleasantries." Muen chuckled, breaking the solemn atmosphere. "Starting today, you will be the core of the Ultimate Soldier plan. The three of us will jointly serve as your mentors."

"I will be responsible for teaching you practical combat and experience against enemies." Muen pointed at himself.

"I will be responsible for your Soul Power cultivation and martial soul theory." Dean Cai Mei'er was concise.

"As for me," Yan Shaozhe took a deep breath, "I will be responsible for your knowledge and application of Soul Tools. Since your sword can break soul skills, you must also learn how to use Soul Tools to make your sword sharper."

Ji Juechen nodded slightly. This was undoubtedly the highest level of support Shrek could offer.

"Your first task." Muen's gaze sharpened. "The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament. But before that, you need a team. An Ultimate Soldier is not a lone wolf. He needs a team to serve as his eyes and his support."

"I have already selected your teammates." Muen looked toward the door. "Come in."

The door opened, and the people who entered were Beibei and Jing Ziyan.

"Beibei will serve as your captain and shield. His Light Holy Dragon possesses formidable defensive and control abilities."

"Jing Ziyan's Spirit Type martial soul will make her your scout and support."

Muen looked at Ji Juechen. "A top assassin needs an impregnable front line and support capable of seeing opportunities before they arise. This is the initial form of your three-person team. Your task is to gather as much intelligence as possible during the Soul Fighting Tournament and defeat the Sun Moon Empire's team."

"I understand." Ji Juechen finally spoke. He looked at Beibei and Jing Ziyan with no rejection in his eyes, only evaluation. He was evaluating whether they were... qualified to become the sheath for his sword.

While Shrek Academy planned the future of this team with limitless potential, another meeting was being held in tense secrecy within the Sun Moon Empire, thousands of miles away.

Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, the dean's office.

Jing Hongchen's expression was so gloomy it seemed water could drip from it. On the Soul Tool screen before him, footage of Shrek's assessment platform battle was playing. Ji Juechen's sword strike that had broken Beibei's Thunder Dragon Head was replayed dozens of times.

"A structural flaw... How did that monster even see it?" Jing Hongchen muttered, his eyes filled with wariness.

"Grandfather," Xiao Hongchen stood to the side, an unhealthy flush still coloring his face, "the first phase of our Red Lotus Plan failed. His Spiritual Power... grew stronger under attack!"

"I saw it." Jing Hongchen waved a hand, signaling that he need not continue. "Against an opponent who can turn attacks into nourishment, conventional tempering has lost all meaning. The plan must be escalated."

He turned and retrieved a pitch-black dossier from a locked metal cabinet.

"The second phase of the Red Lotus Plan—Demon Sword—is activated." Jing Hongchen's voice was icy, without a trace of emotion. "From today onward, the objective is no longer tempering. The objective is elimination."

"But Grandfather, that's..."

"No buts!" Jing Hongchen cut him off. "A monster we cannot control, an Ultimate Soldier who might overturn the future balance of warfare, must be strangled in the cradle before he can grow!"

"Xiao Hongchen, your task is to lead your team and kill him during the Soul Fighting Tournament, whatever the cost!"

"Yes!" A crazed fire ignited in Xiao Hongchen's eyes.

Shrek City, Sea God's Pavilion.

Ji Juechen had only just accepted the arrangements for the team when a faint, icy, venomous killing intent crossed thousands of miles and locked onto him with precision.

It felt as though a venomous snake lurking in the darkness had fixed its eyes upon him.

Ji Juechen abruptly raised his head and looked in the direction of the Sun Moon Empire, a cold light flashing in his eyes.

"A guest has arrived," he said softly.